Lecture – From Founders to Farmers: 17th through early 20th Century Archaeology in the Hudson Valley

Join a fascinating discussion on historic period archaeology in the Hudson Valley from the early 17th through 20th centuries. Historic period archaeology may look at urban settlements, rural farmsteads, trading sites, commercial and industrial occupations, waterfront sites and more specialized occupations. It increasingly focuses on those who lived in these sites but who are underrepresented in the historical record. Questions on ethnicity, status, economic conditions, trade and exchange, ritual, conflict, lifestyle, changing landscapes and much more in the Hudson Valley are addressed by archaeological patterns recovered from such sites. These yield artifacts like ceramics and glassware, to faunal and floral remains. Site and artifact data merge with documents such as diaries, wills, local histories, deeds and much more to shed light on individuals or families from the past and the conditions and circumstances in which they lived. This hybrid lecture will take place in-person at the Putnam History Museum and will also be streamed online via Zoom. Eugene Boesch is a professional archaeologist and cultural resources and historic preservation specialist who has undertaken compliance and research-oriented investigations and related work for over 45 years in rural and urban settings documenting Pre-Contact, Historic, and Industrial sites and resources. He received a Ph.D. and other graduate degrees from New York University. Dr. Boesch’s work has primarily focused on Pre-Contact period cultures and adaptations in the Eastern Woodlands of North America and on early Euro-American settlement in the Hudson Valley region. He also has worked in Israel, California, and throughout the mid-western and northeastern United States. He also has worked in Egypt, Cyprus, Mexico, England, Israel, California, and throughout the mid-western and northeastern United States. More recently, his research interests have focused on researching late nineteenth and early twentieth century industrial complexes for the United States Environmental Protection Agency through its Superfund program. In addition to cultural resource work, Dr. Boesch has taught at New York University, Adelphi University, Vassar College, SUNY Buffalo, Rutgers University, Westchester Community College, and Nassau Community College. A concern for local historic preservation issues has led him to become a member of the Westchester County Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Boesch also recently was awarded the 2022 New York State Historic Preservation Award for Excellence in Achievement by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.